EgyptAir Acquires First A350 to Enhance Intercontinental Expansion
EgyptAir has recently welcomed its inaugural Airbus A350-900 aircraft, marking a significant leap in its fleet modernization efforts. The model, identified as SU-GGE, completed its initial flight from Toulouse, landing in Cairo at approximately 4:00 PM local time. Before entering service, the aircraft will undergo a thorough inspection by the airline’s technical team.
Enhancing Intercontinental Expansion
This new A350 is set to play a crucial role in EgyptAir’s growing intercontinental operations. Initially, the aircraft will be used for crew familiarization flights on routes to major cities such as London and Paris. The airline aims to expand its reach to North America later this year by adding new routes, including a potential service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Fleet Orders and Future Deliveries
At the Dubai Airshow 2023, EgyptAir made an initial commitment to purchase ten A350-900 planes, later increasing the order to a total of 16. These deliveries will occur in planned phases:
- Up to six aircraft expected by the end of this year.
- The initial ten aircraft slated for delivery by the end of next year.
- Remaining six A350s anticipated from 2030 onwards.
These modern aircraft will replace older Boeing 777-300ERs currently used on North American routes, including existing flights to four U.S. destinations.
Statistics and Passenger Demand
Recent data indicates strong demand for flights between Cairo and Los Angeles, with approximately 73,000 round-trip travelers in 2025. Although no direct flights have previously existed, this route represents an untapped market for EgyptAir.
Transforming the Fleet
The introduction of the A350s is central to EgyptAir’s strategic fleet transformation, which aims to modernize its widebody operations. As of February 2026, the airline’s diverse fleet includes the following:
| Type | In Service | Seats | Avg Age (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A330-200 | 5 | 268 | 19.9 |
| A330-300 | 4 | 301 | 14.8 |
| A350-900 | 1 | 350 | 0.0 |
| 777-300ER | 5 | 346 | 15.3 |
| 787-9 | 8 | 309 | 5.5 |
Investment in Infrastructure
EgyptAir’s growth strategy aligns with the expansion of Cairo International Airport. The Egyptian government has approved an extensive $4.5 billion plan to upgrade the airport and accommodate rising passenger numbers. This initiative includes constructing a new Terminal 4, increasing initial capacity to 30 million annual passengers, with a future extension to 40 million. The project, which includes a new runway and enhanced cargo operations, is expected to be completed by 2030.
As tourism in Egypt continues to thrive—with a reported influx of 19 million visitors in 2025, up 21% from the previous year—EgyptAir’s enhancements in fleet and infrastructure are poised to leverage and further boost this growth.
